By Michael Lieberman: The April 16th clash between WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KO’s) and challenger Victor Ortiz (28-2-2, 22 KO’s) has finally found a home and will be taking place the Foxwoods Resort Casino, in Mashantucket, Connecticut. It’s an odd place for a fight, and will likely mean a smaller crowd compared to if the fight had taken place in Atlantic City or Las Vegas, Nevada.
Berto vs. Ortiz
Matthew Hatton could fight the Berto-Ortiz winner
By William Mackay: Despite losing by a lopsided 12 round unanimous decision last Saturday night against Saul Alvarez (36-0-1, 25 KO’s) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Matthew Hatton (41-5-2, 16 KO’s) may soon get another title shot, this time against the winner of the April 16th fight between WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is looking at matching the 29-year-old Hatton against the winner of that fight, according to boxing news from the Daily Mail.
Arum asks why Berto is facing Ortiz rather than Mike Jones vs. Jesus Soto Karass winner
By Chris Williams: Top Rank promoter Bob Arum was reportedly fuming at Thursday’s news conference for the Fernando Montiel vs. Nonito Donaire fight for Saturday, complaining long and hard about the fact that WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KO’s) is being matched up against light welterweight Victor Ortiz (28-2-2, 22 KO’s) instead the winner of Saturday night’s fight between unbeaten welterweight contender Mike Jones and Jesus Soto-Karass.
Khan-McCloskey & Berto-Ortiz doubleheader on April 16th
By William Mackay: The Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) vs. Paul McCloskey (22-0, 12 KO’s) fight for the WBA Super World light welterweight title belonging to Khan, will be shown as part of a delayed television doubleheader broadcast on HBO on April 16th. The Khan-McCloskey fight will be shown after the WBC welterweight match-up between champion Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KO’s) and his light welterweight opponent Victor Ortiz (28-2-2, 22 KO’s). The Berto-Ortiz fight will take place at a different location than the Khan-McCloskey fight.
Andre Berto and the Welterweight division
By Kevin Wrigley: Only 2-3 years ago the 147 pound division was stacked form top to bottom with excellent boxers. Historically it has been one of boxing’s stronger divisions (especially at the start of the 1980’s). Floyd Mayweather Jr was at the top of the pile then there were excellent fighters such as Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams and Shane Mosley. Slightly lower down the pyramid was teak tough Ghanaian Joshua Clottey, the power punching Kermit Cintron and southpaw spoiler Luis Collazo. You also had the rising star that was Andre Berto, who went on to win one of Floyds vacated belts.
Aydin wants his title shot against Berto, angry that he’s talking about Ortiz fight
By Jim Dower: #2 ranked WBC welterweight contender Selcuk Aydin (20-0, 15 KO’s) wants his title shot that’s owed him by World Boxing Council welterweight champion Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KO’s). Aydin, 27, reportedly took a step aside fee so that Berto could take the fight with the lower ranked Freddy Hernandez in November, but Aydin, the mandatory challenger for Berto, now wants his title shot. Aydin is not happy that Berto is talking of now fighting a bout against light welterweight Victor Ortiz on April 16th instead of facing him.
Schaefer talking about Berto/Ortiz, Khan/TBA split site HBO doubleheader on 4/16
By Dan Ambrose: Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is looking to put together a split site doubleheader on April 16th HBO split site doubleheader between WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KO’s) taking on yet another light welterweight in 23-year-old Victor Ortiz (28-2-2, 22 KO’s) that could take place at the Home Depot Center in Carson, according to boxing news from the Los Angeles Times. And fighting in England in the other part of the doubleheader will be WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KO’s) facing one of three possible opponents – Lamont Peterson, John Murray or Paul McCloskey.